With his debut album, Kanye’s protégé, Big Sean, introduces the world to his own brand of G.O.O.D. Music.
HHW: Please tell the fans a little bit about the new project…
Big Sean: It’s the album…I worked my a– off, man. Not just for the album…just to get to the point to put the album out. I put in a lot of groundwork, paying for my own movement, through the blogs… it’s a real exciting thing. I’m just happy that this time is coming and I’ll be able to put it out and then I’ll be able to put another one out. I just really feel like it’s a new beginning, so I’m excited about it, man, for sure.
What is it about this album that makes it so special?
First of all, No I.D. brought a level of quality to it…he really knows a lot about music and he taught me a lot on this album and just took it to the next level. Of course we got Kanye, Pharell… it’s really the story of a kid who realizes what he wants to do in life…and having fun doing it.
How would you describe your style or sound?
I feel like your style is an extension of you, man, so it’s just me. I feel like I make music that people can live to, ride to, smoke to, whatever you like to do to it. People who are dreamers can really relate to my music because I’m a dreamer, you know?
When did you first get introduced to music? How old were you?
I don’t even remember…I remember when I first realized that I wanted to really do music, it was basically around the time Puff Daddy and the Family came out with No Way Out, when all the girls was like in love with Puff and Mase and all that. So its kinda like I was just doing it for the girls at first but then it grew into me actually loving it.
How did you make the transition from dreaming about doing music to actually doing it?
I knew I wanted to be a rapper in like 5th grade. I remember the teacher was asking everybody what they wanted be and everybody was saying lawyers and doctors and all that type of stuff. I said I wanted to be a rapper.
How did you hook up with Kanye and G.O.O.D. Music?
It was between my junior and my senior year in high school…I was cashing my little 120-dollar check from doing telemarketing—that s— was so wack! And one of my homies told me Kanye was at the radio station… so I dropped everything I was doing and went to the station…I rapped for him and got his attention…that was my moment…it took a couple years after that to sign to him…he took me out on the road with him and showed me the ropes.
Why are there no Kanye beats on the album?
I had some. But a lot of them…one of them didn’t clear and the other one I didn’t want to use it for this album. I should probably hold on to it. But he’s on the album though.
At the end of the day what do you want to be remembered for?
I just want to be remembered, man, for being at the forefront of people who just really followed their hearts and did what they wanted to do. The number one thing is I don’t want to look back on life wishing I woulda, coulda, shoulda did something. I just wanna be an example of whenever you follow your heart and do whatever you have to do, it always works out.
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